New technology leads to job losses at Derry Journal

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The Derry Journal is looking to make redundancies in its pre-press department, following an investment in new technology.

It is understood that at least three of those affected are members of the NUJ.

The company said in a statement: “The Derry Journal Group has invested heavily in new technologies over the last six months. “This investment allows us to provide our customers with better and more effective publications.

“The investment also allows us to improve upon our production structure. “This new structure would result in some changes to roles in the pre-press department, and regretfully it would also put a number of roles at risk of redundancy. “We will now be entering into consultation with employees and their representatives on our proposals.

“Our aim will be to minimise the impact of these proposals through voluntary severance, redeployment and where appropriate, enhanced redundancy terms.”

Former editor of the Derry Journal Patrick McArt and News Letter editor Austin Hunter both left the company after Johnston Press’s takeover in April 2006, amid speculation of widespread redundancies in the division.